DJOKO – Ventura EP

Review: DJOKO is a fast-rising star of the German scene, a stalwart for house music in the techno-oriented country, pushing funk influenced danceable beats that have seen him become a best-seller. Hot off a recent EP on Berg Audio, DJOKO is returning to Shall Not Fade for a second record - after the phenomenal success of 2020's Hooked, this one is long-awaited. Ventura EP is an exhibition of DJOKO's skill, tight and groovy house cuts that beg to be played all summer. Kicking off with a hazy gentle burner in "Morning Wonders", he serves up laid-back pads glittering with a funky dance pop organ - a summer track that is flipped and darkened in Leo Pol's remix, adding a firmer rhythm and growling sub bass; the night-time's answer to this day party number. The title track exemplifies DJOKO's fresh take on house music, carefully blending retro samples - crooning disco vocals and organic bass - with a soaring futuristic sound palette into a sublime high-class groove. Pumping B2 "Sylvestre Alone" is a percussive, emotive roller, its tight infectious riffs unavoidably pushing you to dance; the digital bonus track, "Don't Compare Yourself" is meaty, a bass-driven piece that closes the EP with real euphoria, building into a spacey drop full of early rave energy.